Mixmag textual analysis

Matthew Lathlean

MIXMAG coverNovember 16th 2016 edition

The mixmag cover is a lot simpler and refined than the Q cover. It is a very minimalist style which reflects the genre and music inside because its modern.

The colours used in the background of the splash image behind the protagonist give a calm and cool feel to the magazineThe cover lines on the are in a technology style

font and use of underscores that matches with the headline saying “The technology issue” so this reinforces how this particular issue is going to be based around technology.

A tagline has been used here to summarise what the magazine and show the straight to the point nature of it.

The masthead of mixmag is very simplistic and portraying very calm go with the flow vibe of the magazine due to its use of all lowercase letters and basic font.

The colour scheme used is very limited with only blacks and different tones of purple have been used. The use of mise-en-scene to dress the protargists in very dark clothing so they stand out against the background to the reader.

Important information on the cover of the magazine has been boxed in to give at more of a formal effect and make a reader read that bit first before any other cover lines. The box is also stepped up so show the recent progression is terms of dance music in society.

The barcode has been placed in the bottom right corner because it is most likely the last place the reader will look because we are taught read top left to bottom right ,this implies that the barcode is not important and they want the reader to focus on more important things.

The main image using a two shot to show a group of artists in a stature pose and using a 3 point lighting system so the lighting is not shining onto the protagonists faces to keep the photo dark and mysterious.

The mixmag cover doesn’t really follow any rules such as the rule of thirds. This could be showing how the magazine is about not caring about rules as long as you have a good time in the process.

The name the technology issue is helping the magazine appeal to a wider audience than them just interested in music because mixmag has been know for fashion and technology articles as we as well as music .

MIXMAG contentsNovember 16th 2016 edition

The page is set up very minimalist effect , minimalist through the high amount of blank space and small writing is modern so it effects the genre of music that’s within the magazine.The use of modern sans serif font in use of a technology style that also shows how the magazine is about dance which is a very modern form of music , its also fits with the title of the issue , the “technology issue”.

The background of the page is black with white text which makes it easier for the reader to read and to find the article that they're looking for.

This information is boxed in so it stands out to the user as the most important articles on the page while still keeping a minimalist feel carrying on the theme from the front page. The boxing in is done in a modern pixelated fashion.

The contents page has columns split into the rule of thirds so it is easy to navigate and again for the reader to find what they're looking for.

The page only has one photo unlike other magazines that have a large amount of photos, this shows the one photos significance and fits the minimalist theme.The picture is very natural and doesn’t look as staged as other magazines. This allows the user to feel closer and make an emotional connection to the band because they feel the information will be real and personal about the bands. Also the picture is full of bright and vibrant colours that clearly contrast the dark background.

The very little information that is accompanying each of the headlines is forcing the reader to look at the articles to see what its all about.

MIXMAG double page spread pg1November 16th 2016 edition

For the photograph in the article that is trying to grab the readers attention by being large and eye catching this is seen in being roughly half of the double page spread page. The photo has been taken from a long shot to show the dark place he is in ,it has lots of shadows which suggest he's a shadowy character. The photo has a deep space and the subject has been paced quite far back in that field to show he's really part of the scene. Also the positioning of the concrete pillars and the slant on the wall focuses the readers attention to the subject.

The title is very large capital and bold using a sans serif spreading over the whole page this grabs the attention of the reader though its size and unique colours used following on from the similar purple colour used on the front page. And it also backs up the minimalist modern theme of the magazine.

This is the credits ,they are not important to the reader but still need to be on the article to show the reader who's been responsible for writing the article. This has been placed here in small writing so it doesn’t take any attention away from the photo or title.

MIXMAG double page spread pg2November 16th 2016 edition

COLOUR- The colours used are very cool and calming , the title consists of a very calming purple/blue colour

FORMAT-The format of the page is a slightly less conventional split the 3 columns onto quadrants this could be showing about the genre of music and the people who read them that they don’t care about rules.

STYLE- The article is written in a quite formal similar to the Q magazine but this is probably less formal than Q still showing that Mix is aimed around the same target market as Q is aimed at. Although it can be quite waffle at times.

A underline has been used to draw attention to the information about the article while keeping a minimalist effect , but this can also make the title look messy and unattractive.

A separate body of writing away from the main article is here using a fact file type format to give the reader short sharp information. This also adds variation in presenting the information in a different way so the reader doesn’t get bored of reading big chunks of text.

The text is in a very modern style of a technology font showing how modern the music within the magazine is and its readers.